The Australian Press Council (APC) promotes freedom of speech and responsible journalism. It also sets standards and responds to complaints about material in Australian newspapers and magazines, as well as a growing number of online-only publications.
The Australian Press Council (APC) today announced an orderly leadership transition following Chair Dr Bronte Adams AM's decision to step down due to increasing caring responsibilities for her mother, whose health has recently declined.
Dr Adams will remain Chair through the completion of the CEO recruitment process before handing over to Vice Chair Mohamed el Roubi as Acting Chair. Council member Kaaren Koomen AM has temporarily stepped down from Council to serve as Acting Chief Executive Officer, providing experienced organisational leadership while recruitment of a permanent CEO is finalised. Together, these arrangements will ensure a smooth transition.
Dr Adams has served as Chair since December 2025.
Dr Adams said:
"This has been a very difficult decision, and I genuinely wish circumstances were otherwise. Unfortunately, my mother's health has declined significantly and I need to devote more of my time and attention to caring for her.
It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of the Australian Press Council. I've particularly valued the opportunity to work alongside Council members, the Executive and staff. Their professionalism, generosity and commitment to the public interest have made this role immensely rewarding.
While this is much earlier than I had expected or intended, I leave deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served, and I have every confidence in the future of the organisation."
Vice Chair Mohamed el Roubi thanked Dr Adams for her leadership and said he looked forward to supporting the organisation through the transition.
"I've greatly enjoyed working with Bronte over the past eight months and have appreciated her thoughtful, collaborative and principled approach to leadership.
During her tenure, Bronte has helped strengthen the Council's strategic direction, governance and organisational capability, leaving the Australian Press Council well positioned for the future.
On behalf of the Council, I thank Bronte for her dedicated leadership and significant contribution, and wish her and her family all the very best.
The Council remains focused on appointing its next Chief Executive Officer and continuing its work promoting high standards of media practice, supporting freedom of expression, and providing an independent, fair and accessible complaints process for the Australian community."
Recruitment for a permanent Chair will commence shortly.
For more information, please contact:
Emma Lagerlow
Media Consultant, Australian Press Council
E: emma.lagerlow@presscouncil.org.au | T: (02) 9261 1930
The Australian Press Council acknowledges with sadness the passing of Emeritus Professor Ken McKinnon AO, who served as Chair of the Council from 2000 to 2009.
Professor McKinnon led the Council during a significant period for both the media industry and public policy in Australia, including debates around defamation, privacy, freedom of information and press freedom. During his tenure, he helped guide the Council through a challenging financial period while continuing to support its important role in complaints handling and media standards.
Professor McKinnon was widely respected for his longstanding contribution to higher education, public policy, and civic life in Australia. Beyond the Council, he had a distinguished career in education and public service, including serving as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wollongong from 1981 to 1995. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1995 for service to education, the community, and the arts.
The Council extends its condolences to Professor McKinnon’s family, friends, and colleagues.
The Australian Press Council (APC) today announced that Yvette Lamont will step down as CEO and Executive Director, with her resignation taking effect mid-July 2026.
Ms Lamont has led the organisation since September 2021, and has overseen a significant period of transition and renewal, with a particular focus on ensuring the Council’s independent complaints process is robust, timely, free and accessible to all Australians.
During her tenure, the organisation undertook a program of operational reform and financial stabilisation and is well placed as it looks to its next phase.
Chair Dr Bronte Adams thanked Ms Lamont for her contribution.
“Yvette has led the organisation through a genuinely challenging few years — delivering financial stabilisation, structural reform and navigating a media environment that hasn’t stood still. The APC is in a stronger position as a result.
Personally, and on behalf of the Council, I wish to thank Yvette for her dedication and the results she has achieved. We wish her well in the next chapter of her career.”
Ms Lamont said the decision followed careful reflection.
“It has been a privilege to lead the Australian Press Council. I’m proud of the work the team has done, and I leave knowing the organisation is well placed with a sound foundation to best execute its functions. I would also like to thank former Chairman Neville Stevens AO and current Chair Dr Bronte Adams AM for their support and encouragement during my term.
All Australians can be confident that the APC continues to adapt to the changing media environment and community standards, with a clear focus on the public interest in providing the community with an independent and easily accessed complaints process.”
The APC will provide further information on the CEO recruitment process in due course.
The Australian Press Council is pleased to share that its CEO & Executive Director, Yvette Lamont, was featured in the International Women’s Day Special Edition of the Communications Law Bulletin (published by the Communications and Media Law Association) (CAMLA).
In the interview, Yvette reflects on her career and shares insights on the evolving media landscape and the importance of trust in media.
Yvette also highlights the value of independent bodies such as the Australian Press Council (APC) in maintaining public confidence in the media.
The APC plays an important role in demonstrating that press freedom and accountability are not mutually exclusive by promoting freedom of speech through responsible and independent print and digital media, and adherence to high journalistic and editorial standards.
The interview forms part of CAMLA’s International Women’s Day Special Edition, celebrating the women shaping the media, communications and legal sectors.
It is a thoughtful and timely contribution to the broader conversation on media, law and leadership, and a valuable reflection as part of this year’s International Women’s Day discussions.
Read the full article here.
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Complaint outcomes are called Adjudications. You can search published Adjudications here.